Mount Elden Minutes: February 23, 2025

Dr. Fletcher-Lambert, Climate and Culture Committee and staff for making our first Black History Celebration a HUGE success!

ONE LOVE VIDEO

Parent Teacher Connections

March 5, 6, and 7

Early release 11:35 each day

Expectations:

Goal for each team:

100% of students have a conference!
Divide and conquer! You do not need to have all four core teachers at every conference

Conferences are offered to ALL parents for all students

Goal is to CONNECT with EVERY family.
It should not be considered optional, please try to connect with every family.

At each conference, ensure they know the importance of state testing and having their student at school. Claudia will have a handout for parents. We will make copies for you.
Use Parent Square to have parents sign up.
Make phone calls to parents who do not respond to the Parent Square invite to sign them up for a time.

We are required to offer one night for conferences. We will have our night of conferences Wednesday March 5. 5:00-7:00 PM.

ALL certified staff are expected to be in attendance.

This is the ONLY night option we can provide.

We are strongly encouraging in-person conferences. There is a power to a face to face conversations. Please use Teams and Phone as a last resort.

Any questions please reach out to the administration!

Collaboration time sheet. You MUST use this timesheet for collaboration.

GOALS:

ELA: The percent of students scoring below mastery in reading for information on the AASA English Language Arts assessment will decrease by a minimum of 10% from the 2024-25 SY. We have the opportunity to identify specific areas to target by analyzing the AASA blueprint and aligning our tier 1 units to the DOK level of AASA in all content areas.

MATH: Mount Elden Middle School student will increase student proficiency by 10% in math on the AASA math assessment the 2024-25 SY. We have the opportunity to identify specific areas to target by analyzing the AASA blueprint and aligning our tier 1 units to the DOK level of AASA.

COMPLETE THIS FORM

TO GIVE A STAFF A SHOUT OUT!

From Donald: Everyday I come to work and I try to keep up with Morgan June and I fail. In my 33 years of teaching, Morgan is absolutely one of the hardest working teachers I have ever been around. Thank you Morgan.

From Lynn P: Social Studies, Science & ELA teachers for your engagement, hard work, and positive attitude while working Dr. Brian Taylor and the writing model.

From Robert C: Donald Penny: You never miss an IEP meeting! Thank you!

From Scoot: Trina...again!! I learn so much from her commitment to the students and her calm demeanor.

Anonymous: I am grateful for this community! There are teachers who come to school each day ready to embrace new ideas and concept in our nobel profession and students are growing as a result! I am thankful to be part of such a team!

April 21- Snow Day Make Up day- This is now a work day :(

Black History Month: February is Black History Month. MEMS will have an assembly on February 21. Below is a resource to use in your classroom.

https://blackhistorymonth.gov/

AZELLA Testing: Heidi will be conducting AZELLA testing throughout the month of February. Please refer to her emails and release the students when needed. Thank you!

NEED SUPPLIES? Please complete the Supply Request form prior to getting your supplies. This link is also on the Nest. SUPPLY FORM

Technology Update February 21, 2025

UPDATE on One Time Funds:

Speakers in classrooms: I am working with technology to determine the best speaker to work with your projectors, Apple TV and devices. Stay Tuned!

Thunderbird Nest We will keep adding and improving

Friday Collaboration

11:35-12:30 Prep Time

Friday Collaboration

MEMS 12:45-2:45

AASA Testing

MPR Room

TEAM CT MEETINGS

On your own to work on Parent Teacher Conferences.

FEBRUARY:

28th AASA Training for all required staff

24-28 Underground Spirit Week Staff ONLY!!!!!

SHHH don't tell the students!

Mon: Hawaiian Day

Tues: Anything but a cup (drink out of anything but a cup)

Wed. Black out Day-(wear all black)

Thurs: Miss Match Day (mix your stripes, plaids etc.)

Fri: Royalty Day (dress like royalty because you are royalty)

MARCH:

5-7 Early Release 11:35 am Parent Teacher Conferences

10th-14th Spring Break

March 18 7:50am – 2:20pm (Coaching) 2:30pm – 3:30pm (Meeting)

Sinagua Middle School

Mount Elden Middle School

For each school site a CAST UDL expert will do in-person observations and walkthroughs with the school principal, instructional specialists/coaches, program specialist, and a member of the ESS leadership team. The CAST UDL expert will provide coaching and feedback to the school leadership team to build knowledge on UDL implementation and coaching. After the school day, leadership teams should plan for a 1-hour meeting to discuss key takeaways, training needs, and next steps.

April:

Snow day make up #1 day-April 21 is NOW a work day.

Testing Dates

All tests will be scheduled in the morning with a modified bell schedule.

March 26 & 27 AZ Science 8th Grade ONLY

April 1 & 2 AASA Writing ALL GRADES

April 8 Reading Part 1 ALL GRADES

April 9 Math Part 1 ALL GRADES

April 15 Reading Part 2 ALL GRADES

April 16 Math Part 2 ALL GRADES

MAY:

Snow day make up #2 day May 9 (no school if we do not have a second snow day)

8th Grade Promotion

May 21st

Blue Team 4:00 pm

Red Team 6:00 pm

BLACKOUT DATES AND PROTOCOLS

As a reminder, the days before and after a holiday (see below) are blackout dates for ALL staff. (Classified, certified, and ancillary) You must have principal pre-approval if you must call off for extenuating circumstances. Please don’t plan a trip without prior approval. Thank you for understanding.

“Personal leave will not be granted on unless you receive pre-approval from principal.: 1) the day prior or subsequent to any scheduled holiday, 2) the first or last instructional week of the school year, 3) Parent/Teacher conference days, 4) make-up snow days, 5) testing days for test administrators and proctors, and 6) district wide staff development days.”

Any day we are above the 10% threshold. When we hit the 10% threshold, I will then need to deny. It is very helpful when you secure a sub.

Upcoming Blackout Dates Include:

March 5,6,7, 17

Testing Days:

March 26, 27

April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16

OVER 10% thresh hold: